Gillkicker marks vunerable

[Bob Paulley]

Having a well-developed nose for oncoming trouble, when I was last down at Gillkicker after dusk, I decided to decamp, due to the imminent presence of a dodgy looking gang of youths.

Sometimes it is wise to let paranoia take over.

This evening, I received a copy of an e-mail, sent to a contact of mine, referring to ongoing security problems ar Gillkicker (sent for info on an entirely different issue).

Gillkicker, for those who may not know, is an unoccupied Palmerston Folly. The only activity in the Fort is the operation of a remote controlled Shipping Control RADAR. Security is having to be beefed up, due to attacks on the single onsite security guard. The guards have also witnessed, but not been able to do anything about, attacks on the general public in the vicinity of the Fort!

The Police have been unwilling, or unable to do anything about the attacks, which, so far, have been limited to stone throwing.

You are all warned.

[alan]

Bob, there seams to be a big problem along that whole stretch from Gillkicker through to Browndown. theres been more then a few reports of anglers getting back to cars to find them smashed up/missing.

i pulled in to a carpark at Stokes one night, took one look at the crowd drinking and checking every car over i left and fished portsmouth instead

Hill head or Hasler wall are the only 2 places i would fish in gosport now, the wall as its patrolled reguarly, and can you imagine the carnage if the ***** started at Hill head.

[Lord Paul]

<blockquote class=quoteheader>alan wrote (see)</blockquote><blockquote class=quote>

Bob, there seams to be a big problem along that whole stretch from Gillkicker through to Browndown. theres been more then a few reports of anglers getting back to cars to find them smashed up/missing.

i pulled in to a carpark at Stokes one night, took one look at the crowd drinking and checking every car over i left and fished portsmouth instead

Hill head or Hasler wall are the only 2 places i would fish in gosport now, the wall as its patrolled reguarly, and can you imagine the carnage if the ***** started at Hill head. </blockquote>
Not knowing the area - what is at Hill head that will stop them?

[alan]

its a well known Smouthound mark. unless you get there early you have no chance of fishing as it is packed with anglers.

imagine a layby about 300meters long with cars parked side by side and anglers fishing from the cars, then add another 3-400 meters of car park with anglers on the beach.

its a wierd venue that is great for smutts, and at times rays but not much else.

the Wall is next to an old Prison and behind the navy hospitial and is patrolled by the millitary police on a regular basis.

[Lord Paul]

Thanks Alan

[Bob Paulley]

There is an extranious problem with the carpark at Battery B (West end of Stokes Bay) in that it is a drug distribution point.

The dealers have, for some years now, used vandalism as a deterrent to anglers, so they are left alone to do their deals.

If you are fishing Browndown, it is best to park at the Lee Yatch Club carpark (it is actually a free public carpark). Your problem is that you have a mile to walk, to get to the favoured marks. I tend to fish about halfway between the Yacht Club and the first Range Butt. There is a patch of sand, with a series of gullies running parallel to the beach. In the seasons, it is good for flatties, smoothies and the odd Bass.

I like that end also because I get to watch an itinerant Kestrel. He (and it is a male) uses human walkers as his hunting dogs. He hovers at about 30 ft and about 20 feet behind you as you walk along. He has sussed that humans spook the plentiful voles in the short undergrowth, scaring them to run. That's when he stoops over your shoulder...... another easy meal!